NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Frustration over New York's reluctance to reopen movie theaters is on full display outside a Times Square cinema.
The Regal E-Walk put up a message for Gov. Andrew Cuomo as it and all other movie theaters across the state remain shuttered because of the pandemic.
The marquee reads: "48 states have reopened theaters safely. Why not New York, Governor Cuomo? #ReopenOurCinemasNY."
Joseph Masher, president of the New York chapter of the National Association of Theatre owners, told the Hollywood Reporter that the sign in Times Square is part of an effort across the state by theaters.
The Aurora Theatre in East Aurora, New York, reportedly put up the same marquee message, along with another that read, "Playing nothing. Starring nobody."
The signage comes about two months after the governor suggested in August that cinemas could soon be reopening. But they've remained shuttered as other institutions like museums reopened.
"We are owed an answer. We've answered every question. He said theaters would be next, but that was almost a month ago. And then crickets," Masher said.
The president-CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners and the chief of Cineworld, the parent company of Regal, have also reportedly criticized Cuomo in interviews.
Richard Azzopardi, senior adviser to Cuomo, released a statement to the Hollywood Reporter in response.
"We understand some people are unhappy, but you know what? Better unhappy than sick or worse," Azzopardi wrote. "We're moving heaven and earth trying to stop a second wave and people need to acknowledge that we're still in a pandemic and start to act like it."
